India may have to wait longer for the return of their regular No. 3 batter, Shubman Gill, as he remains uncertain for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scheduled to begin on December 6 in Adelaide. Shubman Gill, who missed the opening Test in Perth due to a fractured left thumb, is still recovering and will likely sit out the upcoming pink-ball practice match in Canberra this weekend.
Shubman Gill sustained the injury during an intra-squad match ahead of the series and was advised a rest period of 10 to 14 days by medical experts. Sources suggest that while his thumb is healing, the batter may require additional time to regain full match fitness before returning to the Test setup.
“Gill was advised a 10-14 day rest by the medical specialist after suffering that injury. He won’t play in the practice match on the weekend, and is doubtful at the moment for the second Test too. Let’s see how much his injury has healed and how his finger feels,” said a source close to the team.
Even after recovery, Shubman Gill will need match practice to prepare for the demands of Test cricket. Missing two key matches in the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy could be a significant blow to India’s batting order, as Gill’s solid technique and adaptability at No. 3 have been crucial in past series.
India will play a pink-ball practice match this weekend in Canberra to prepare for the day-night Test in Adelaide. However, with Gill sidelined, the team management may need to continue relying on the players who featured in the first Test, which India won convincingly in Perth.
Get well soon, Shubman Gill!
